Sophomore SANNI OJIBARA (Irvington, NJ/Irvington) scored a career-high 25 points, and canned five three-pointers as New Jersey City University answered its worst loss of the year with one of its best wins, as the Gothic Knights routed St. Joseph’s College (ME), 79-52, in the semifinals of the 2005 Association of Division III Independents Championship Tournament.
NJCU, the No. 2 seed in the tournament improves to 17-9 overall and will top-seeded Lincoln University (PA) (21-5) in the inaugural championship game on Saturday at 5pm. LU defeated Finlandia University (MI) (13-13), 95-87, in the other semifinal. Although the winner does not receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, it will strengthen its case for an at-large Pool B selection. St. Joseph’s, the host team and number three seed, is 15-11. It was the first meeting between the clubs in school history.
NJCU defeated Lincoln, 76-70 in overtime in Jersey City, NJ on January 29, by rallying from a 10-point deficit with 1:41 remaining in regulation.
NJCU, which did not shoot well in a loss at Mitchell on Wednesday, shot 50 percent overall (31-62), including 55.2 percent in the second period on 16-of-29, and converted 8-of-20 from three-point range.
Ojibara played only 15 minutes, yet the mid-year addition to the team and transfer from Division II Felician, scored his 25, the fourth highest total this year by a Gothic Knight, shooting 9-of-13 (.692) and 5-of-6 from three-point range (.833). He had 18 points in eight minutes during the second half.
NJCU junior swingman MARK WASHINGTON (East Orange, NJ/West Side) only took nine shots, but kept alive his 18-game streak of scoring in double-figures by tallying 11 points, with seven rebounds (six defensive) and five steals.
Junior center JAMES KAISER (South Orange, NJ/Columbia) started in place of injured center ABRAHAM WILLIAMS (Jersey City, NJ/Lincoln), who did not make the nearly seven-hour trip with an injury. Kaiser played well, tallying all nine of his points in the first half, shooting 4-of-7, while sophomore forward DEVIN DAVIS (Red Bank, NJ/Red Bank Regional) contributed eight points, four assists and four blocks in 18 minutes.
Also for NJCU, freshman forward ANTOINNE MORGANO (Newark, NJ/University) chipped in eight points and three assists, while junior point guard ROB FREENEY (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway) collected seven points and delivered five assists and three steals.
The Monks received 21 points from senior guard Jon Pratt (Gloucester, MA/Gloucester), on 8-of-12 shooting, before fouling out. Junior guard Noah LaRoche (Exeter, NH/Exeter) added 12 points off the bench on 3-of-10. Senior forward Steve Monteiro (Ipswich, MA/Ipswich) had eight points (3-14) and seven rebounds (five defensive), and sophomore center Pat Mileski (Cape Elizabeth, ME/Cape Elizabeth) grabbed eight boards (seven defensive) and rejected three shots.
NJCU never trailed, and led by as many as 15 in opening period, 28-13, before heading to the break up by eight, 35-27. Pratt shaved NJCU’s lead to three, 35-32, at 18:03 of the second period, with a three-pointer, but the Gothic Knights answered with a 12-0 run to pull in front by 15 again, 47-32 with 12:17 remaining. Ojibara capped the tear with a trey. NJCU’s largest lead was 29, 79-50, with 32 seconds left.
NJCU demonstrated excellent ball control, committing just eight turnovers, versus 24 by SJCME. That led to a 29-7 advantage for NJCU in points off turnovers. Ojibara also led NJCU’s bench to a 40-20 edge in scoring over the SJCME reserves. SJCME shot .333 for the game (17-51), and struggled from the line (13-22, .591). The Monks out-rebounded NJCU, 39-32.
—www.njcugothicknights.com—
Newspaper Box Score New Jersey City University vs St. Joseph's College (ME) 02/25/05 5 pm at Standish, ME (Alfano Center) At Standish, ME (Alfano Center) NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY 79, ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE (ME) 52 NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY (17-9) Sanni Ojibara 9-13 2-2 25; Mark Washington 3-9 5-8 11; James Kaiser 4-7 0-0 9; Antoinne Morgano 4-6 0-0 8; Devin Davis 4-5 0-0 8; Rob Freeney 3-8 0-0 7; Will Morris 2-2 0-0 4; Javier Rodriguez 1-3 1-2 4; Ben Balcom 1-2 0-0 2; Namreh White 0-0 1-2 1; Charles Coles 0-5 0-0 0; Christopher Kates 0-1 0-0 0; Luis DaSilva 0-1 0-0 0; Shaun Patterson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 31-62 9-14 79. ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE (ME) (15-11) Jon Pratt 8-12 3-3 21; Noah LaRoche 3-10 4-6 12; Steve Monteiro 3-14 1-3 8; Colby Emmons 1-3 4-8 6; Marcus Alexander 1-4 0-0 2; Matt Plummer 1-3 0-0 2; Pat Mileski 0-1 1-2 1; Bernard Castor 0-0 0-0 0; Joe Schacht 0-0 0-0 0; Chad Pulkkinen 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 17-51 13-22 52. New Jersey City University.... 35 44 - 79 St. Joseph's College (ME)..... 27 25 - 52 3-point goals-New Jersey City University 8-20 (Sanni Ojibara 5-6; James Kaiser 1-1; Rob Freeney 1-2; Javier Rodriguez 1-2; Charles Coles 0-5; Mark Washington 0-4), St. Joseph's College (ME) 5-15 (Noah LaRoche 2-5; Jon Pratt 2-3; Steve Monteiro 1-4; Chad Pulkkinen 0-3). Fouled out--New Jersey City University-None, St. Joseph's College (ME)-Jon Pratt. Rebounds-New Jersey City University 32 (Mark Washington 7), St. Joseph's College (ME) 39 (Pat Mileski 8). Assists-New Jersey City University 21 (Rob Freeney 5), St. Joseph's College (ME) 8 (Marcus Alexander 2; Steve Monteiro 2; Chad Pulkkinen 2). Total fouls-New Jersey City University 20, St. Joseph's College (ME) 17. A-314 Association of Division III Independents Northeast Regional Semifinals. No. 2 seed NJCU vs. No. 3 seed and host St. Joseph's College of Maine. NJCU advances to face the w/o #1 Lincoln and #4 Finlandia Universityu. Sanni Ojibara scores a career-high 25 for NJCU.